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Unseen Messages
"Instincts are what keep us safe from fate. Ignoring them can change your life forever."
Fame and fortune arrived overnight and after months on the road with her singing tour, all Estelle craves is peace. Tired and ready for paradise, she travels to Fiji to recuperate.
Stubborn and surly, Galloway is avoided by most--which is exactly the way he likes it. However, he's done spending his life in regret and hopes to find redemption in the tropical wilderness.
Together, they board the flight that changes their fate forever. Crash landing on a deserted island, they not only have to figure out how to survive with no skills and daily dangers--learning how to fish, find water, and build shelter--but also inherit two children who look to them to keep them alive.
However, staying alive might be the least of Galloway and Estelle's problems. As days creep to months and rescue doesn't find them, their desire for each other ignites.
They started as strangers.
They grew to be friends.
They fought the desire to be lovers.
Lust can be the most beautiful thing. Love the most rewarding. But not on an island where life hangs by a thread and giving into temptation can kill you.
Can they survive being forgotten or will love be their ultimate undoing?
From New York Times Bestseller Pepper Winters comes a timeless love story answering the question of what happens when everything is stripped away.
Standalone.
Fame and fortune arrived overnight and after months on the road with her singing tour, all Estelle craves is peace. Tired and ready for paradise, she travels to Fiji to recuperate.
Stubborn and surly, Galloway is avoided by most--which is exactly the way he likes it. However, he's done spending his life in regret and hopes to find redemption in the tropical wilderness.
Together, they board the flight that changes their fate forever. Crash landing on a deserted island, they not only have to figure out how to survive with no skills and daily dangers--learning how to fish, find water, and build shelter--but also inherit two children who look to them to keep them alive.
However, staying alive might be the least of Galloway and Estelle's problems. As days creep to months and rescue doesn't find them, their desire for each other ignites.
They started as strangers.
They grew to be friends.
They fought the desire to be lovers.
Lust can be the most beautiful thing. Love the most rewarding. But not on an island where life hangs by a thread and giving into temptation can kill you.
Can they survive being forgotten or will love be their ultimate undoing?
From New York Times Bestseller Pepper Winters comes a timeless love story answering the question of what happens when everything is stripped away.
Standalone.
681 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2016
925 people are currently reading
10052 people want to read
About the author
Pepper Winters
99 books17k followersPepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today International Bestseller.
She currently has thirty books released in nine languages. She’s hit best-seller lists (USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal) thirty-three times. She dabbles in multiple genres, ranging from Dark Romance to Coming of Age.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. With 20 books currently published, she has hit the bestseller charts twenty-nine times in three years.
Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work. Her Pure Corruption Series was released by Grand Central, Hachette.
Her books have garnered foreign interest and are currently being translated into numerous languages, including already released titles in Italian, French, Hebrew, German, and Turkish.
NEWSLETTER: http://www.subscribepage.com/www.pepp...
Or follow her on her website
www.pepperwinters.com
She loves mail of any kind: pepperwinters@gmail.com
You can stalk her here:
Pinterest/Pepperwinters
Facebook Pepper Winters
Twitter @pepperwinters
Blog pepperwinters.wordpress.com
She currently has thirty books released in nine languages. She’s hit best-seller lists (USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal) thirty-three times. She dabbles in multiple genres, ranging from Dark Romance to Coming of Age.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. With 20 books currently published, she has hit the bestseller charts twenty-nine times in three years.
Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work. Her Pure Corruption Series was released by Grand Central, Hachette.
Her books have garnered foreign interest and are currently being translated into numerous languages, including already released titles in Italian, French, Hebrew, German, and Turkish.
NEWSLETTER: http://www.subscribepage.com/www.pepp...
Or follow her on her website
www.pepperwinters.com
She loves mail of any kind: pepperwinters@gmail.com
You can stalk her here:
Pinterest/Pepperwinters
Facebook Pepper Winters
Twitter @pepperwinters
Blog pepperwinters.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,197 reviews
August 15, 2017
★★★★! Unseen Messages (Stand-alone). Epic love! What ifs! Life choices! Destiny! Cause & Effect!
“Love doesn’t live in first glances. Life doesn’t dwell in second chances. Our path exists in unseen messages.”
Unseen Messages (stand-alone) starts off as cryptic as its blurb. This is an epic love with story spanning some eight years if you count the extended epilogue.
It’s also a story of survival, self-reflection and growth, life choices, second chances, the what ifs, following or not following your intuition and the consequences thereof.
On a fateful day, that easily could have never happened, Aussie singer and songwriter Estelle is thrown together with British aspiring builder Galloway and their lives are irrevocably changed - forever.
There is no going back, present time a battle and their future as uncertain as the messages they would write in the sand only to be washed away by waves…
Seven words to describe Galloway: Unassuming, loyal, sweet, charming, lost, easy-going and insecure.
Seven words to describe Estelle: Determined, strong, reflective, nurturing, conflicted, blunt and loyal.
Unseen Messages, told from dual POV is, at times, angsty, but not dark. It’s contemporary, nothing futuristic nor paranormal. It’s a detailed near decade long life journey of chances and choices and the effect of those. It’s about being torn between doing what is expected and what feels right.
A beautifully depicted love story with soul searching passion and unending love! It ends in peace and closure with an epilogue several years into the future.
Epic! Poignant! Thought-provoking! Different from what I typically read, but memorable all the same!
“I convinced myself I was reading into things, that disasters happened to other people; that life didn’t send messages to those about to die. I didn’t listen. I ignored the signs.”
***
Hero rating: 4 stars
Heroine rating: 4 stars
Sexual tension rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes rating: 4 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 4 stars
Plot rating: 4 stars
Dialogue rating: 4 stars
Storytelling rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: 5 stars
**********************************************
Overall rating: 4 stars
Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Maybe later.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
ARC provided to me by author Pepper Winters in exchange for an honest review.
March 31, 2016
2 Stars
Spoiler free unpopular opinion alert
Don't you hate it when everyone loves a book but you? Le sigh. This review is actually painful for me to write. Why? Because I adore Pepper Winters. I’ve read the woman’s entire backlist, so when I saw she was coming out with a secret project and revealed the cover to this book, I was beyond thrilled. Heck, I couldn’t wait to get my grabby little hands on it.
When it landed on my kindle, I dropped everything and began reading…
And reading…
And reading…
And reading some more…
Then when 2 days later I looked down at my kindle and realized I was only at 15% I began to get a little twitchy.
Now look, I don’t mind a long book. I devour Kristen Ashley books in 2 days and those books are typically AT LEAST 450 pages on average. But the length of this book? Well, it didn’t work for me so much. As a matter of fact, it dragged…. painfully so. I will go so far as to say this may have been the most long winded book I have ever read in my entire reading history. But there’s a difference between development and filler, and unfortunately I found over 40% of this book to be pure filler. The descriptions, the events, a lot of it never really went anywhere.
The first 15% is one giant false red herring because after everything that happens in it, the characters’ actions afterward were almost mind-bogglingly ridiculous. I just couldn’t buy it for the life of me. The writing is another thing that never worked for me. While some may find it lyrical, I found it to be full or purple prose and mundane and redundant inner monologue.
There.
Was.
A.
Lot.
Of.
This.
And also there was a lot of t…h…i…s.
I think that for this reader, it was just too much. A book has to be well balanced with dialogue and development, and I didn’t find that to be the case here.
I skimmed almost the entire second half and found that I missed almost nothing. In my opinion, this book could have been 40% shorter and worked much better. While I liked some parts, other parts I was bored out of my skull. The characters spend so much time in their head, it made my eye tick.
Every feeling and thought is described…
And described….
And described some more.
But even while there’s a lot of description, I found it did nothing to endear or connect me to their actions. There was just too many pages to fill in the spaces and the actual story began to fade out somewhere between the prose and redundant details. Some of the actions and situations the characters found themselves in were too far beyond the scope of believability for me. I can suspend my disbelief for fiction, but there were parts where I found myself seriously scratching my head in confusion. The ending was cute if not a touch too cheesy for my tastes.
This was different, yes. But for me, while I loved the concept of the story, it fell flat on the delivery. I’m sure I’ll be in the minority in my opinion and clearly many a reader really loved this book. I have a feeling it’s going to be one of those books you either get or don’t. Unfortunately for me, I fell into the later part. But I'm just one tiny opinion here, so read it and judge for yourself ;)
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
Spoiler free unpopular opinion alert
Don't you hate it when everyone loves a book but you? Le sigh. This review is actually painful for me to write. Why? Because I adore Pepper Winters. I’ve read the woman’s entire backlist, so when I saw she was coming out with a secret project and revealed the cover to this book, I was beyond thrilled. Heck, I couldn’t wait to get my grabby little hands on it.
When it landed on my kindle, I dropped everything and began reading…
And reading…
And reading…
And reading some more…
Then when 2 days later I looked down at my kindle and realized I was only at 15% I began to get a little twitchy.
Now look, I don’t mind a long book. I devour Kristen Ashley books in 2 days and those books are typically AT LEAST 450 pages on average. But the length of this book? Well, it didn’t work for me so much. As a matter of fact, it dragged…. painfully so. I will go so far as to say this may have been the most long winded book I have ever read in my entire reading history. But there’s a difference between development and filler, and unfortunately I found over 40% of this book to be pure filler. The descriptions, the events, a lot of it never really went anywhere.
The first 15% is one giant false red herring because after everything that happens in it, the characters’ actions afterward were almost mind-bogglingly ridiculous. I just couldn’t buy it for the life of me. The writing is another thing that never worked for me. While some may find it lyrical, I found it to be full or purple prose and mundane and redundant inner monologue.
There.
Was.
A.
Lot.
Of.
This.
And also there was a lot of t…h…i…s.
I think that for this reader, it was just too much. A book has to be well balanced with dialogue and development, and I didn’t find that to be the case here.
I skimmed almost the entire second half and found that I missed almost nothing. In my opinion, this book could have been 40% shorter and worked much better. While I liked some parts, other parts I was bored out of my skull. The characters spend so much time in their head, it made my eye tick.
Every feeling and thought is described…
And described….
And described some more.
But even while there’s a lot of description, I found it did nothing to endear or connect me to their actions. There was just too many pages to fill in the spaces and the actual story began to fade out somewhere between the prose and redundant details. Some of the actions and situations the characters found themselves in were too far beyond the scope of believability for me. I can suspend my disbelief for fiction, but there were parts where I found myself seriously scratching my head in confusion. The ending was cute if not a touch too cheesy for my tastes.
This was different, yes. But for me, while I loved the concept of the story, it fell flat on the delivery. I’m sure I’ll be in the minority in my opinion and clearly many a reader really loved this book. I have a feeling it’s going to be one of those books you either get or don’t. Unfortunately for me, I fell into the later part. But I'm just one tiny opinion here, so read it and judge for yourself ;)
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
November 6, 2021
stranded on an island survival romance is super niche, but totally needs to be more of a thing. because i ate this up.
i did find the late beginning and middle to be is a bit repetitive, but only because of how long they are actually stranded on the island. its definitely a lot longer than you would expect and theres only so much they can do. but gosh. by the time i got to the 70ish% mark, i was surprisingly emotional.
i guess all that time spent with the characters made me feel super connected to them and their story. i dont want to give anything away, but its been awhile since ive so profoundly felt the same emotions the characters experienced - i understood their grief and longing so thoroughly, which was quite remarkable, honestly.
overall, a fantastic story of survival and endurance and love.
↠ 4 stars
i did find the late beginning and middle to be is a bit repetitive, but only because of how long they are actually stranded on the island. its definitely a lot longer than you would expect and theres only so much they can do. but gosh. by the time i got to the 70ish% mark, i was surprisingly emotional.
i guess all that time spent with the characters made me feel super connected to them and their story. i dont want to give anything away, but its been awhile since ive so profoundly felt the same emotions the characters experienced - i understood their grief and longing so thoroughly, which was quite remarkable, honestly.
overall, a fantastic story of survival and endurance and love.
↠ 4 stars
Read
April 1, 2016 ::: FULL REVIEW NOW POSTED :::
I'm a huge fan of survival romances but they don't come around too often so when I heard about this one, I couldn't resist diving in especially after reading the blurb. The heroine and hero are strangers thrown together when they crash on a desert island forcing them to rely on each other for survival... and face the hidden desire they feel for each other!! And the whole concept of these unseen messages fascinated me. These little occurrences that could so easily be dismissed as nonsense, that had no factual basis in reality, and yet were still there regardless of whether you ignored or heeded them were so interesting. Fate, chance, coincidence, luck... no matter what you call it or what you believe in, these elements are definitely something that makes you wonder...
In those beginning scenes in the airport as the many unseen messages passed her by, I got chills and goosebumps as I read. I think your subconscious is aware of things that, while perhaps irrational by our usual standards, may not necessarily always be wrong. But the more logical, educated sides of our minds are tought and conditioned to ignore it. When you get a bad feeling about "I don't think I should get on this plane", how many people would actually turn around, sacrificing their airfare and plans to actually not take the flight if there was no factual basis for them not to? Most often we're likely to dismiss these fears.
There were all these signs warning her not to get on the plane. It was like a hum on the air. You could feel it but not see it. You could easily ignore it, but if you were listening, they were clearly there.
There was so much foreshadowing and mystery that pulled me into the story. I loved that Estelle and Galloway shared this instant connection the moment that they glanced at each other across the airport. In real life, how many people would share that glance but then just move forward with life in separate directions? How many people would follow through to try to get to know that person?
Ahh there were so many things to wonder about!
Then came the crash. That terrifying uncertainty between life and death. And then the horrifying realization that even though they were alive, they were completely cut off from the world.
No ambulance to rescue them.
No doctor to heal them.
No internet to research help.
No reception to call anyone.
No food to eat.
No fresh water.
No clothing to protect against the elements.
No shelter.
Nothing.
Except each other.
Every step of their journey as they fought to survive on this isolated desert island fascinated me. How terrifying must it be to be wounded, alone, starving, and cutoff from the world. How would they find food on an uninhabited island, there were plenty of fish, but how could they catch them? How would they get water with no rivers? How would they build shelter with no tools?
Galloway was grouchy, gorgeous, mysterious, and clearly hiding something. Estelle adapted quickly to their situation and her strength of character was admirable in regards to their survival. And even though they tried to fight it, they were undeniably drawn to each other - and had been since that moment in the airport - so it was only a matter of time before a relationship between them began.
This is an incredibly long book - over 700 pages - and it took me two sittings to read it. I really loved the first half of the book, but in the interest of full honesty, I was a little more frustrated with the second half. There was a lot of miscommunication and very poor judgment causing the majority of the drama. While I was rooting for their romance, I also was very frustrated with the way both of them (but more so Estelle) handled many things. And there were other non-relationship decisions that they all made that just didn't add up to me and could very well have saved their lives earlier if they'd acted differently. I do have a detailed list of the things that bothered me (like my issues were very specific) but in the interest of keeping things spoiler-free, I'm not going to list them.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book and especially appreciated how different it was than the usual type of book I read. It was quite an adventure and the way the story was set up with the unseen messages, and them trying desperately to survive on the desert island was captivating! In terms of rating, I have to split the way I look at it. I'd ideally rate the first half of the book 4.5 stars, and the second half 3.5 stars. If you round that out, you get a final rating of 4 stars although I do find this book difficult to rate as a whole as opposed to in sections. I've read a few survival stories over the years mostly because I just can't resist these types of books - On The Island (my all-time favorite), Surviving Raine, Withering Hope - and I don't regret reading this one at all. It was a welcome chance of pace and an entertaining story to get lost in.
First half of the book: 4.5 stars
Second half: 3.5 stars
__________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Twitter
✦ Subscribe by email
Once within a song, a music lover and a broken man fell from the sky. It changed their lives forever...
I'm a huge fan of survival romances but they don't come around too often so when I heard about this one, I couldn't resist diving in especially after reading the blurb. The heroine and hero are strangers thrown together when they crash on a desert island forcing them to rely on each other for survival... and face the hidden desire they feel for each other!! And the whole concept of these unseen messages fascinated me. These little occurrences that could so easily be dismissed as nonsense, that had no factual basis in reality, and yet were still there regardless of whether you ignored or heeded them were so interesting. Fate, chance, coincidence, luck... no matter what you call it or what you believe in, these elements are definitely something that makes you wonder...
"There is a message for everything. From handwritten to verbal, seen and unseen. Messages exist all around us."
But what if you don't see?
What if you don't understand?
What if, by ignoring the message, your life is never the same again?
Estelle Evermore morphed from nobody to somebody overnight.
Galloway Oak put his past behind him and endeavoured to make his fortune using his trade.
Two strangers.
One plane.
Multiple unseen messages.
From sky to island, they find neither fame nor skills can save them. Stripped from society and left alone to survive the elements, the very task of staying alive outweighs all other needs.
Until survival turns to desire.
And desire turns to danger.
In those beginning scenes in the airport as the many unseen messages passed her by, I got chills and goosebumps as I read. I think your subconscious is aware of things that, while perhaps irrational by our usual standards, may not necessarily always be wrong. But the more logical, educated sides of our minds are tought and conditioned to ignore it. When you get a bad feeling about "I don't think I should get on this plane", how many people would actually turn around, sacrificing their airfare and plans to actually not take the flight if there was no factual basis for them not to? Most often we're likely to dismiss these fears.
There were all these signs warning her not to get on the plane. It was like a hum on the air. You could feel it but not see it. You could easily ignore it, but if you were listening, they were clearly there.
There was so much foreshadowing and mystery that pulled me into the story. I loved that Estelle and Galloway shared this instant connection the moment that they glanced at each other across the airport. In real life, how many people would share that glance but then just move forward with life in separate directions? How many people would follow through to try to get to know that person?
Ahh there were so many things to wonder about!
Then came the crash. That terrifying uncertainty between life and death. And then the horrifying realization that even though they were alive, they were completely cut off from the world.
No ambulance to rescue them.
No doctor to heal them.
No internet to research help.
No reception to call anyone.
No food to eat.
No fresh water.
No clothing to protect against the elements.
No shelter.
Nothing.
Except each other.
Every step of their journey as they fought to survive on this isolated desert island fascinated me. How terrifying must it be to be wounded, alone, starving, and cutoff from the world. How would they find food on an uninhabited island, there were plenty of fish, but how could they catch them? How would they get water with no rivers? How would they build shelter with no tools?
Galloway was grouchy, gorgeous, mysterious, and clearly hiding something. Estelle adapted quickly to their situation and her strength of character was admirable in regards to their survival. And even though they tried to fight it, they were undeniably drawn to each other - and had been since that moment in the airport - so it was only a matter of time before a relationship between them began.
This is an incredibly long book - over 700 pages - and it took me two sittings to read it. I really loved the first half of the book, but in the interest of full honesty, I was a little more frustrated with the second half. There was a lot of miscommunication and very poor judgment causing the majority of the drama. While I was rooting for their romance, I also was very frustrated with the way both of them (but more so Estelle) handled many things. And there were other non-relationship decisions that they all made that just didn't add up to me and could very well have saved their lives earlier if they'd acted differently. I do have a detailed list of the things that bothered me (like my issues were very specific) but in the interest of keeping things spoiler-free, I'm not going to list them.
Regardless, I enjoyed this book and especially appreciated how different it was than the usual type of book I read. It was quite an adventure and the way the story was set up with the unseen messages, and them trying desperately to survive on the desert island was captivating! In terms of rating, I have to split the way I look at it. I'd ideally rate the first half of the book 4.5 stars, and the second half 3.5 stars. If you round that out, you get a final rating of 4 stars although I do find this book difficult to rate as a whole as opposed to in sections. I've read a few survival stories over the years mostly because I just can't resist these types of books - On The Island (my all-time favorite), Surviving Raine, Withering Hope - and I don't regret reading this one at all. It was a welcome chance of pace and an entertaining story to get lost in.
First half of the book: 4.5 stars
Second half: 3.5 stars
__________________________
For more of my reviews, book news and updates:
✦ Main blog: Aestas Book Blog
✦ Facebook Blog Page
✦ Subscribe by email
March 28, 2016
༺**Complimentary Copy**༺ Provided by the author
"Pepper Winters" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: Unseen Messages
AUTHOR: Pepper Winters
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: March 30th 2016
MY RATING
This is one of my most HIGHLY anticipated books, I've been patiently waiting, ok I lied I've stalked the ass off this book and this author and begged for a copy for review!!
Anything by this author and you know your in for a treat..
Holy crappers!! So on my ipad air it states that this is 2956 pages long!!
*faints*
In true Pepper fashion as soon as you start reading this your hooked, this is completely different to any other book this author has published previously, usually she'll make you walk on the dark side of kidnapping and all that grit, so this is totally left field for what you would normally expect from her..
UNSEEN MESSAGES This is a new unique standalone novel from Pepper Winters. Dual POV spoken in the words of Estelle and Galloway.
We're first introduced to Estelle whom was finally getting what she wanted out of life, her biggest passion was her music which was finally going to be heard worldwide, she'd just gotten a deal of a lifetime..We follow her on her journey boarding a plane to take her back home to Australia after being on tour.
So many UNSEEN MESSAGES before proceeding to board the plane were sending warnings to not get on that plane which she ignored.
There is a message for everything. From handwritten to verbal, seen and unseen. Messages exist all around us.
Don't people say things happen in threes?" Well, three things had just tried to prevent me getting on the plane.
Two strangers, One plane, Multiple unseen messages.
Then we meet twenty - seven year old Galloway Oak who is also a passenger on the same plane as Estelle. He was on his way to Kadavu where he was under contract for three months to build homes for the locals.
The bottom of the sky vanished. We fell
We turned from flying machine to plummeting grenade
Falling
Falling
Falling.
The cause of the accident was turbulent air causing a thing called mast bump.
Seven had boarded that helicopter, ignoring the pilots warnings, ignoring all the signs that other air crafts would not be flying that night..Another warning ignored about the Emergency Beacon that wasn't working.
Marooned on an uninhabited baron island, 2 adults, 2 children, fighting to survive.
Galloway was harboring a deep dark secret that could destroy him.
MY THOUGHTS
It's a forgivable offence if you go into this not knowing that this author is the queen when it comes to her delivering, the dark gritty world of kidnapping, this is nothing like her produced works, such a unique compelling story, even though I moaned and moaned over the length I wouldn't change or cut down this story one little bit, this will forever have a place in my heart, I loved everything about it, like the hopelessness of being stranded on the island I fell hopelessly in love with these characters.
Please I urge you come release day ONE CLICK this, I was hooked as soon as I started reading, I lived, breathed, inhaled, this book..
*One teaser used is off the authors FB page*
"Pepper Winters" in exchange for an honest review..Thank you!!
TITLE: Unseen Messages
AUTHOR: Pepper Winters
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
RELEASE DATE: March 30th 2016
MY RATING
This is one of my most HIGHLY anticipated books, I've been patiently waiting, ok I lied I've stalked the ass off this book and this author and begged for a copy for review!!
Anything by this author and you know your in for a treat..
Holy crappers!! So on my ipad air it states that this is 2956 pages long!!
*faints*
In true Pepper fashion as soon as you start reading this your hooked, this is completely different to any other book this author has published previously, usually she'll make you walk on the dark side of kidnapping and all that grit, so this is totally left field for what you would normally expect from her..
UNSEEN MESSAGES This is a new unique standalone novel from Pepper Winters. Dual POV spoken in the words of Estelle and Galloway.
We're first introduced to Estelle whom was finally getting what she wanted out of life, her biggest passion was her music which was finally going to be heard worldwide, she'd just gotten a deal of a lifetime..We follow her on her journey boarding a plane to take her back home to Australia after being on tour.
So many UNSEEN MESSAGES before proceeding to board the plane were sending warnings to not get on that plane which she ignored.
There is a message for everything. From handwritten to verbal, seen and unseen. Messages exist all around us.
Don't people say things happen in threes?" Well, three things had just tried to prevent me getting on the plane.Two strangers, One plane, Multiple unseen messages.
Then we meet twenty - seven year old Galloway Oak who is also a passenger on the same plane as Estelle. He was on his way to Kadavu where he was under contract for three months to build homes for the locals.
The bottom of the sky vanished. We fell
We turned from flying machine to plummeting grenade
Falling
Falling
Falling.
The cause of the accident was turbulent air causing a thing called mast bump. Seven had boarded that helicopter, ignoring the pilots warnings, ignoring all the signs that other air crafts would not be flying that night..Another warning ignored about the Emergency Beacon that wasn't working.
Marooned on an uninhabited baron island, 2 adults, 2 children, fighting to survive.
Galloway was harboring a deep dark secret that could destroy him.
MY THOUGHTS
It's a forgivable offence if you go into this not knowing that this author is the queen when it comes to her delivering, the dark gritty world of kidnapping, this is nothing like her produced works, such a unique compelling story, even though I moaned and moaned over the length I wouldn't change or cut down this story one little bit, this will forever have a place in my heart, I loved everything about it, like the hopelessness of being stranded on the island I fell hopelessly in love with these characters.
Please I urge you come release day ONE CLICK this, I was hooked as soon as I started reading, I lived, breathed, inhaled, this book..
*One teaser used is off the authors FB page*
Read
August 20, 2016 DNF at 25%
Pepper Winters is an author I love, but I didn’t enjoy this book. And maybe 25% doesn’t seem that far, but considering this book has 83 chapters and the file size is twice the size as most books, I’d say I read a lot more than you would think. I’m guessing maybe 200 pages.
The writing was very long winded and many parts of the book were completely unnecessary. Of the parts I read, I wish about half of it had been edited out because it was too much, it didn’t help further the story or plot at all.
Seeing as this is a survival romance, there were situations our characters were put in and I felt their reactions were unrealistic and quite frankly, bizarre. So my issue was mainly long winded writing and I didn’t connect with the characters nor understood their actions.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
Pepper Winters is an author I love, but I didn’t enjoy this book. And maybe 25% doesn’t seem that far, but considering this book has 83 chapters and the file size is twice the size as most books, I’d say I read a lot more than you would think. I’m guessing maybe 200 pages.
The writing was very long winded and many parts of the book were completely unnecessary. Of the parts I read, I wish about half of it had been edited out because it was too much, it didn’t help further the story or plot at all.
Seeing as this is a survival romance, there were situations our characters were put in and I felt their reactions were unrealistic and quite frankly, bizarre. So my issue was mainly long winded writing and I didn’t connect with the characters nor understood their actions.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2024
Once again Pepper Winters demonstrates why we love her.
Well known from the Indebted series, she shown us spine tingling darkness and unimaginable depravities.
Unseen Messages is a beautiful modern day contemporary where the author reinvents herself with a new set of castaways. Life becomes a daily struggle, death is on the horizon and failure isn’t an option. There are no second chances, repeats or do overs. All that remains is survival.
Estelle Evermore a stranger to herself was a mastery of words. Fans near and wide deemed her an overnight success. Fear of living kept everyone at arms lengths harboring the recluse within. Destiny reined hell for an intervention.
I couldn’t ignore it anymore. The messages. The signs. I should’ve listened. I didn’t care if it was stupid. I didn’t care if paranoia rotted my brain. I couldn’t switch off the instinct howling inside. Something’s wrong.
Galloway Oak was more beaten and broken then anyone knew. He couldn’t escape the recriminations of others or outrun his past. He’d already judge himself and found himself lacking. Fate being the cruel bitch that she is had other ideas of atonement.
The entire descent, my mind had exploded with
worst-case scenarios of agonising pain and horrific death. Of slamming into the earth, erupting into fire, burning to char with the scent of flesh in my nostrils.
I’d spoken with readers who were leery about this book. One of the concerns was the difference in darkness and tones. Let me assure you this novel carries darkness but of a different nature. The struggle for survival had me on the edge of my seat, gripping the arms of my chair.
As the characters suffered so did I. Each triumph was met with me cheering, every defeat was met with me wanting to encourage. The gut wrenching sadness had me lashing out with rage and tears. The emotional anguish was felt as if it were my own.
I felt like I was in the story, facing the same adversities, challenges, love, hopes and failures as the characters. Unseen Messages has earned its place in my heart.
Well known from the Indebted series, she shown us spine tingling darkness and unimaginable depravities.
Unseen Messages is a beautiful modern day contemporary where the author reinvents herself with a new set of castaways. Life becomes a daily struggle, death is on the horizon and failure isn’t an option. There are no second chances, repeats or do overs. All that remains is survival.
Estelle Evermore a stranger to herself was a mastery of words. Fans near and wide deemed her an overnight success. Fear of living kept everyone at arms lengths harboring the recluse within. Destiny reined hell for an intervention.
I couldn’t ignore it anymore. The messages. The signs. I should’ve listened. I didn’t care if it was stupid. I didn’t care if paranoia rotted my brain. I couldn’t switch off the instinct howling inside. Something’s wrong.
Galloway Oak was more beaten and broken then anyone knew. He couldn’t escape the recriminations of others or outrun his past. He’d already judge himself and found himself lacking. Fate being the cruel bitch that she is had other ideas of atonement.
The entire descent, my mind had exploded with
worst-case scenarios of agonising pain and horrific death. Of slamming into the earth, erupting into fire, burning to char with the scent of flesh in my nostrils.
I’d spoken with readers who were leery about this book. One of the concerns was the difference in darkness and tones. Let me assure you this novel carries darkness but of a different nature. The struggle for survival had me on the edge of my seat, gripping the arms of my chair.
As the characters suffered so did I. Each triumph was met with me cheering, every defeat was met with me wanting to encourage. The gut wrenching sadness had me lashing out with rage and tears. The emotional anguish was felt as if it were my own.
I felt like I was in the story, facing the same adversities, challenges, love, hopes and failures as the characters. Unseen Messages has earned its place in my heart.
April 1, 2016
WOW!!! When I finished reading this book, I honestly did not know what genre to put this book in! And I was afraid to give anything away on Goodreads. I literally had to email the author to ask her explicitly which category she thought this story should be in. It is NOT dark/taboo/forbidden. What it most defitnitely is: sweeping, grand, thrilling, exciting, heartbreaking, joyous and life-affirming. . . and unlike ANYTHING you’ve ever read from Pepper Winters. Enjoy the ride!
(The author has now revealed the inspiration behind the story and the full blurb on her website, check it out!!)
“Love doesn’t live in first glances. Life doesn’t dwell in second chances. Our path exists in unseen messages.”
Yes, this is a long book, but trust me when I say that I flew through the pages. The story revolves around Estelle Evermore, who is a rising singer and songwriter but who is desperate to fly back home after being on a grueling tour. There are ominous signs everywhere warning her not to get on the plane. The sense of foreboding is almost suffocating! Also on her flight is Galloway Oak, and although these two are strangers, in a very short time they will become dependent on each other for their very lives.
Pepper Winters is one of my favorite dark romance authors. To say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book is an understatement. While there is dark sense of foreboding, Unseen Messages is in no way dark at all. It is a finely detailed, epic romance with thrilling elements and stunning settings. When the characters were exhausted, sunburned and starving, I felt their pain. When they suffer unimaginable loss, I felt their heartache. I connected with the characters and became immersed in their story of survival.
If you are looking for something very different to read, try Unseen Messages. The ending was surprising and beautiful and uplifting. I applaud the author for stepping outside her comfort zone and giving us Estelle and Galloway. They are two memorable characters that will stay with me for a long time.
(ARC provided by the author in return for an honest review.)
(The author has now revealed the inspiration behind the story and the full blurb on her website, check it out!!)
“Love doesn’t live in first glances. Life doesn’t dwell in second chances. Our path exists in unseen messages.”
Yes, this is a long book, but trust me when I say that I flew through the pages. The story revolves around Estelle Evermore, who is a rising singer and songwriter but who is desperate to fly back home after being on a grueling tour. There are ominous signs everywhere warning her not to get on the plane. The sense of foreboding is almost suffocating! Also on her flight is Galloway Oak, and although these two are strangers, in a very short time they will become dependent on each other for their very lives.
Pepper Winters is one of my favorite dark romance authors. To say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book is an understatement. While there is dark sense of foreboding, Unseen Messages is in no way dark at all. It is a finely detailed, epic romance with thrilling elements and stunning settings. When the characters were exhausted, sunburned and starving, I felt their pain. When they suffer unimaginable loss, I felt their heartache. I connected with the characters and became immersed in their story of survival.
If you are looking for something very different to read, try Unseen Messages. The ending was surprising and beautiful and uplifting. I applaud the author for stepping outside her comfort zone and giving us Estelle and Galloway. They are two memorable characters that will stay with me for a long time.
(ARC provided by the author in return for an honest review.)
January 12, 2025
4 Stars (Originally Read 4/2/2016)
3.5 Stars (Re-Read 1/11/2025)
Overall Opinion: I'm a sucker for marooned romances, and this fit the bill. I was afraid for a time when I was balling (and my husband was snickering at me) that it wasn't going to end the way I wanted it to. The author, Pepper Winters, isn't known for fluffy sweet romances (she tends to go on the darker side)...so I started making my own horrible predictions. But rest assured -- she gives us an HEA and I would even say it was sweet! I liked it. My biggest complaint would be that I think it could've been edited down to be shorter, because it felt long (and it was!) at times.
Re-Read Note: This was a book that I've wanted to re-read for a while. I remember the emotions it evoked the first time I read it and I was hoping to feel them again. Sadly, I didn't get as emotionally invested as I'd hoped I would the second time. I know it's probably because I kind of remembered what happened (but it has been almost 9 years!). I absolutely thought there were many times where it could've been edited down, as the inner thoughts seemed super repetitive after a while and it was too long. That is the main reason why I'm lowering my rating ~ but I still enjoyed it!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Estelle and Galloway's story. They see each other for the first time when boarding a plane to Fiji. After some unfortunate circumstances, they end up on another flight that crashes on a remote Fijian island. They soon find out that they are the only survivors along with 2 kids. They learn to survive together through many challenging experiences, and their relationship changes from hateful bickering to friends to being in love.
POV: This alternated between Estelle and Galloway's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Ok. This was on the longer side for me at 852 pages on my scribed app. I think it could've been edited down to not be so long, because even though I barreled through it -- there were times that it felt slow. BUT I never skimmed at any point.
Instalove: I'd say no. They didn't act on their feelings for a good while because of their circumstances, and the H seemed to only care about sex especially at the beginning...they did develop strong feelings rather quickly, but it didn't feel like instalove to me.
H rating: 4 stars. Galloway. What a name, right?!? It taken me a while to like him because he was a damaged and grouchy man that thought a lot with his d¡ck, but he won me over and I was team "G" at the end.
h rating: 4 stars. Estelle. I had some big issues with her pushing the H away towards the beginning, but once I understood her reasoning I got over it. She was a tough cookie, and I loved how she stepped up to whatever challenged they faced.
Sadness level: High. Man, I ugly cried! I was not expecting to either. So beware readers -- you need some tissues for this one!
Heat level: Moderate. They took a while since the h was petrified of getting pregnant and pushed him away, but they did have some hot scenes once they did get together.
Descriptive sex: Yes
Safe sex: No. They had no way to practice safe sex.
OW/OM drama: No
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had good closure with a cute epilogue and a HEA.
How I got it: It was part of my scribed subscription.
Safety: Safe with exception
3.5 Stars (Re-Read 1/11/2025)
Overall Opinion: I'm a sucker for marooned romances, and this fit the bill. I was afraid for a time when I was balling (and my husband was snickering at me) that it wasn't going to end the way I wanted it to. The author, Pepper Winters, isn't known for fluffy sweet romances (she tends to go on the darker side)...so I started making my own horrible predictions. But rest assured -- she gives us an HEA and I would even say it was sweet! I liked it. My biggest complaint would be that I think it could've been edited down to be shorter, because it felt long (and it was!) at times.
Re-Read Note: This was a book that I've wanted to re-read for a while. I remember the emotions it evoked the first time I read it and I was hoping to feel them again. Sadly, I didn't get as emotionally invested as I'd hoped I would the second time. I know it's probably because I kind of remembered what happened (but it has been almost 9 years!). I absolutely thought there were many times where it could've been edited down, as the inner thoughts seemed super repetitive after a while and it was too long. That is the main reason why I'm lowering my rating ~ but I still enjoyed it!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Estelle and Galloway's story. They see each other for the first time when boarding a plane to Fiji. After some unfortunate circumstances, they end up on another flight that crashes on a remote Fijian island. They soon find out that they are the only survivors along with 2 kids. They learn to survive together through many challenging experiences, and their relationship changes from hateful bickering to friends to being in love.
POV: This alternated between Estelle and Galloway's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Ok. This was on the longer side for me at 852 pages on my scribed app. I think it could've been edited down to not be so long, because even though I barreled through it -- there were times that it felt slow. BUT I never skimmed at any point.
Instalove: I'd say no. They didn't act on their feelings for a good while because of their circumstances, and the H seemed to only care about sex especially at the beginning...they did develop strong feelings rather quickly, but it didn't feel like instalove to me.
H rating: 4 stars. Galloway. What a name, right?!? It taken me a while to like him because he was a damaged and grouchy man that thought a lot with his d¡ck, but he won me over and I was team "G" at the end.
h rating: 4 stars. Estelle. I had some big issues with her pushing the H away towards the beginning, but once I understood her reasoning I got over it. She was a tough cookie, and I loved how she stepped up to whatever challenged they faced.
Sadness level: High. Man, I ugly cried! I was not expecting to either. So beware readers -- you need some tissues for this one!
Heat level: Moderate. They took a while since the h was petrified of getting pregnant and pushed him away, but they did have some hot scenes once they did get together.
Descriptive sex: Yes
Safe sex: No. They had no way to practice safe sex.
OW/OM drama: No
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had good closure with a cute epilogue and a HEA.
How I got it: It was part of my scribed subscription.
Safety: Safe with exception
Read
March 31, 2016DNF at 18% and four hours later...
I don't really know what to say here other than that I'm uber bummed. I love castaway tropes and couple that with the fact that I love the bejeebus out of this author, I'm sad to say this wasn't a win for me. I'm a painfully slow reader to begin with and my free time is not always condusive to reading books with a total reading time of...wait for it...18 hours long (it's over 80 chapters in length). I tried to not worry about length- "it's like some of my other favorite long-winded authors and it'll fly by fast." It. Did. Not. It just sort of dragged along...
A lot of people have suggested maybe this should've been a duet. I don't think so. It's filled with a lot of...stuff. Of fillers of sorts where it would go on for pages and not a whole lot would happen. So a duet wouldn't really have helped the situation of length. Cutting the fluff, yes. I think a good beta reader would've told her to "cut this book by a third and call me back when you're finished." And for that it's a shame. Because I know this author can write.
Second, the actions and reactions of several of the characters were just so so unrealistic I couldn't take it anymore. There is one scene in particular where someone should be overcome with immense grief and pain but instead it was a sing-songy "lets start this holiday!" No, no and no. Just a lot of inconsistencies..
So I'll cut my losses and pray with a few good, honest beta readers, Pepper can bring me back some of her awesomeness I know she harbors.
Advanced copy received by author in exchange for my honest review.
May 13, 2021
"I hadn’t listened to the messages…but then again, maybe I had?"
Unseen Messages is the absolute perfect title for this book. Many will become exasperated at Estelle's seeing so many messages, unheeding them and then seemingly going completely off script and jumping off into a randomless act. But therein, lies the chance that is life and the mystery of it all and the thing that defines us as human. Not because of the messages we do see but messages we don't - the one's that cause us the biggest losses but also the biggest wins - to the places and people we truly belong to. Life is a roll of the dice, no matter how much we try to believe we're in control and fate can be a cruel bitch or a fairy godmother and sometimes she can be both. In this case, she is most definitely both.
Unseen Messages explores all that territory through the choices of six travellers united by one tumultuous plane trip and one disastrous helicopter ride. Galloway Oak, a surly but gorgeous man who can't seem but be ready to get away from having to mix with others and travel to an island where he will be building with natives, Estelle Evermore, an Aussie songwriter/singer who has found success with her work but is a woman full of uncertainty, missing out on life trapped in her shell as an introvert. And a family of four bearing the same last name as hers - a husband and wife traveling with their children, Connor and Pippa.
When their ill-fated, spur of the moment helicopter ride goes crashing down on a deserted island only four are alive and all are banged up, injured and left with no creature comfort or anything but the instinct to survive. And slowly and painstakingly, they fight to do just that. When I say slowly, I mean that this book is 590 pages long. It is never dull, but there is a feeling of repetitiveness, sometimes an echo of thoughts already expressed and a daily grind that goes on and on. But I'm not going to put that down as a negative because even though I had to leave the book for a little while, when I found my way back, I fell into the pattern of not knowing whether it would be yet another day of recounting the seemingly similar events of said day or one of peril or one of laughter and then I soon realised the author had swept me in to being stuck on that island with the survivors. That I was experiencing the tedium, the desperateness, the grief, the small triumphs, the endless ebb and flow of the tide line that mocked the characters while they looked out upon the horizon with only one thought: for a way off and the safety of the 'civilized' world. Once she had me there, I couldn't let go. Once she had me there, I fell in love with each one - Connor, then Pippa, Galloway and finally Estelle. I loved them fiercely and fragilely and I worried over them as much as Estelle did and wanted to protect them all as much as Galloway did. There is a true love story here between Galloway and Estelle, but the biggest love story for me was between these four souls and the family they became. And when tragedy or danger would strike, I felt it in every bone in my body. I loved that who they were when they crashed did not define who they became.
Ultimately, to me, this was about family, about finding yourself in the most unlikely of places, and about home - true home, whether that lies in a person or in a place. And yes, maybe succumbing to the Unseen Messages instead of the ones easily read is the path that leads you there.
I loved this book with every piece of my heart and soul and Pepper kept me with her the entire way so I bow to her writing. I could sit here and be a 'critic' and nitpick but when you bring me to tears so that I'm sitting hours laters still mourning a fictional boy, still smiling bittersweet at the love and hard won good moments then I feel no need to get hung up on any perceived misstep. If you didn't have me at 'Hello', you sure as hell had me before 'Goodbye'.
5***** hauntingly, beautiful, clear and shining bright in the night stars.
(Note: This is unlike anything else this author has written. It is not taboo. It is not a dark romance. It was her one off that she wrote from a personal place. If you're expecting classic Pepper Winters than your expectations might ruin this book for you.)
Unseen Messages is the absolute perfect title for this book. Many will become exasperated at Estelle's seeing so many messages, unheeding them and then seemingly going completely off script and jumping off into a randomless act. But therein, lies the chance that is life and the mystery of it all and the thing that defines us as human. Not because of the messages we do see but messages we don't - the one's that cause us the biggest losses but also the biggest wins - to the places and people we truly belong to. Life is a roll of the dice, no matter how much we try to believe we're in control and fate can be a cruel bitch or a fairy godmother and sometimes she can be both. In this case, she is most definitely both.
Unseen Messages explores all that territory through the choices of six travellers united by one tumultuous plane trip and one disastrous helicopter ride. Galloway Oak, a surly but gorgeous man who can't seem but be ready to get away from having to mix with others and travel to an island where he will be building with natives, Estelle Evermore, an Aussie songwriter/singer who has found success with her work but is a woman full of uncertainty, missing out on life trapped in her shell as an introvert. And a family of four bearing the same last name as hers - a husband and wife traveling with their children, Connor and Pippa.
When their ill-fated, spur of the moment helicopter ride goes crashing down on a deserted island only four are alive and all are banged up, injured and left with no creature comfort or anything but the instinct to survive. And slowly and painstakingly, they fight to do just that. When I say slowly, I mean that this book is 590 pages long. It is never dull, but there is a feeling of repetitiveness, sometimes an echo of thoughts already expressed and a daily grind that goes on and on. But I'm not going to put that down as a negative because even though I had to leave the book for a little while, when I found my way back, I fell into the pattern of not knowing whether it would be yet another day of recounting the seemingly similar events of said day or one of peril or one of laughter and then I soon realised the author had swept me in to being stuck on that island with the survivors. That I was experiencing the tedium, the desperateness, the grief, the small triumphs, the endless ebb and flow of the tide line that mocked the characters while they looked out upon the horizon with only one thought: for a way off and the safety of the 'civilized' world. Once she had me there, I couldn't let go. Once she had me there, I fell in love with each one - Connor, then Pippa, Galloway and finally Estelle. I loved them fiercely and fragilely and I worried over them as much as Estelle did and wanted to protect them all as much as Galloway did. There is a true love story here between Galloway and Estelle, but the biggest love story for me was between these four souls and the family they became. And when tragedy or danger would strike, I felt it in every bone in my body. I loved that who they were when they crashed did not define who they became.
Ultimately, to me, this was about family, about finding yourself in the most unlikely of places, and about home - true home, whether that lies in a person or in a place. And yes, maybe succumbing to the Unseen Messages instead of the ones easily read is the path that leads you there.
I loved this book with every piece of my heart and soul and Pepper kept me with her the entire way so I bow to her writing. I could sit here and be a 'critic' and nitpick but when you bring me to tears so that I'm sitting hours laters still mourning a fictional boy, still smiling bittersweet at the love and hard won good moments then I feel no need to get hung up on any perceived misstep. If you didn't have me at 'Hello', you sure as hell had me before 'Goodbye'.
5***** hauntingly, beautiful, clear and shining bright in the night stars.
(Note: This is unlike anything else this author has written. It is not taboo. It is not a dark romance. It was her one off that she wrote from a personal place. If you're expecting classic Pepper Winters than your expectations might ruin this book for you.)
April 1, 2016
Unseen Messages is an epic tale of survival, family, and best of all love. This story weaves together the lives of complete strangers and creates a bond between them that transcends life and death. Thrilling, action-packed, steamy, and tender, Unseen Messages is a novel that will crash land its way into your heart and will remain forever stranded. Another outstanding hit for Pepper Winters!
Read
March 31, 2016DNF at 30%
She is one of my favorite authors!I love her writing and her books!Unfortunately this one was not good.Even though the plot wasn't so bad and reminds me a movie as far as I read it was slow and some parts wasn't necessary in my opinion.I really wanted to like it but I couldn't.
Hopefully you'll like it more than me!
*An advance reading copy was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.*
She is one of my favorite authors!I love her writing and her books!Unfortunately this one was not good.Even though the plot wasn't so bad and reminds me a movie as far as I read it was slow and some parts wasn't necessary in my opinion.I really wanted to like it but I couldn't.
Hopefully you'll like it more than me!
*An advance reading copy was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.*
April 5, 2016
*ARC received via Ink Slinger PR as part of book tour*
3.5 ★
Not gonna lie, this was a looooong read… much longer than I anticipated… Did it have to be? I dunno. All I do know is that by the end, I was happy I read it.
This is the second Pepper read for me. I may have had some issues with the storyline in that one, but what I didn’t have issues with is her writing. Her writing is what pushed me to read this one too. That, after seeing the cover, of course, which I love!!!
This really is like the Cast Away movie, only make it about a couple and add children. Just like the movie, it makes you think what a person is really made of when put in a life and death situation. It makes you think what really matters, and how one’s thinking shift when basic survival is the only goal. And just like the movie, the focus is surviving the island and all the emotions that came with it, and what happens after the survival…
Told from dual POV, I had access to both Estelle’s and Galloway’s thoughts. There were times I probably would have liked it seeing from the other person’s POV but nonetheless, I appreciated the thought process they each went through. Galloway had a past that was hard to run away from. That kind of past could shape one’s future forcefully so the burden that Galloway carried on his shoulders was understandable. Estelle was, in a way, a survivor herself of her past and trying to make sense of her present. To manage that inexplicable connection between them while trying to survive and look after 2 children on top of that, it was confusing and challenging to say the least. And speaking of the 2 children, while this is about Estelle and Galloway, those 2 kids just stole my heart.
I suppose with all my gripe I had about the length of the book, I understood its purpose, I think. I was with them through all their trials and tribulations, how they survived and what they survived. And I was with them as they survived, hoped, struggled, despaired, longed, and loved.
So, yes, it may have felt unnecessarily longwinded at times, but in the end, this book made me think, made me fret, made me bawl my eyes out. It made me feel.
What more could have I asked for, right?
3.5 ★
Not gonna lie, this was a looooong read… much longer than I anticipated… Did it have to be? I dunno. All I do know is that by the end, I was happy I read it.
This is the second Pepper read for me. I may have had some issues with the storyline in that one, but what I didn’t have issues with is her writing. Her writing is what pushed me to read this one too. That, after seeing the cover, of course, which I love!!!
This really is like the Cast Away movie, only make it about a couple and add children. Just like the movie, it makes you think what a person is really made of when put in a life and death situation. It makes you think what really matters, and how one’s thinking shift when basic survival is the only goal. And just like the movie, the focus is surviving the island and all the emotions that came with it, and what happens after the survival…
Told from dual POV, I had access to both Estelle’s and Galloway’s thoughts. There were times I probably would have liked it seeing from the other person’s POV but nonetheless, I appreciated the thought process they each went through. Galloway had a past that was hard to run away from. That kind of past could shape one’s future forcefully so the burden that Galloway carried on his shoulders was understandable. Estelle was, in a way, a survivor herself of her past and trying to make sense of her present. To manage that inexplicable connection between them while trying to survive and look after 2 children on top of that, it was confusing and challenging to say the least. And speaking of the 2 children, while this is about Estelle and Galloway, those 2 kids just stole my heart.
I suppose with all my gripe I had about the length of the book, I understood its purpose, I think. I was with them through all their trials and tribulations, how they survived and what they survived. And I was with them as they survived, hoped, struggled, despaired, longed, and loved.
So, yes, it may have felt unnecessarily longwinded at times, but in the end, this book made me think, made me fret, made me bawl my eyes out. It made me feel.
What more could have I asked for, right?
December 20, 2016
I am completely blown away by this book. I clicked merely on a whim with little background or expectation and it consumed me utterly. I've read one other stranded type book and loved it, but I have to say this was so much more. Estelle and Galloway are literally thrust together with their little band of companions. I was a bit dismayed at their companions but boy I grew to love these people. The setting, conditions were so well described, I could feel the texture of the environment, the living difficulties and joys so tangibly. The messages were poignant, the characters so well developed and although it's a longer book than some, I devoured each word; it was very well written.
This is a book that makes you earn your place reading it, when it has you in its web, the feelings and emotions are huge. I had a pounding heart, I cried with joy, hope and with a broken heart. It's a bittersweet joy but I'm glad to have made the journey and I will never forget this book. I need to own this in paperback. A favourite of the year.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
This is a book that makes you earn your place reading it, when it has you in its web, the feelings and emotions are huge. I had a pounding heart, I cried with joy, hope and with a broken heart. It's a bittersweet joy but I'm glad to have made the journey and I will never forget this book. I need to own this in paperback. A favourite of the year.
Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.
March 18, 2019
”Home is where the heart is.
Home is where the soul is found.
Home is where the good times laugh.
Home is where the hard times heal.”
Overview
Galloway(27) & Estelle(26). Told from dual POV. Takes place on a deserted island around Fiji. This book is around 650 pages, so it’s long. However, the length is no different than reading a trilogy, but instead of three books the author kept it all in one. At least that’s the way I looked at it. 😉
Characters
Galloway: he is on his way to Kadavu to build homes for locals. He’s got secrets from his past that he’s not willing to share and sins he believes he needs to atone for. Galloway was “in lust” with Estelle early on, so his early remarks and attitude toward her didn’t make him an endearing Hero. But, once I saw his heart and his love for the people on the island I just melted. His first interaction with Pippa. Aww❤️. He understood his limits and although he had trouble accepting them in the beginning, I felt like his character grew throughout their journey and he certainly became a fantastic partner and role model.
First impression of Galloway: He’s a complex character and is hiding something, so he is a bit of a mystery. He’s grouchy and gruff. Once they crashed, his attitude was annoying. It took a little bit of time for me to warm up to him.
Estelle: she’s a songwriter/musician who has recently been discovered and is headed home to Australia after a 7 week tour. She saw the signs, but didn’t heed their message and her life irrevocably changed. Estelle, is an incredibly strong woman. During every crisis, she was the voice of reason and brought calm to the situation. Her intuition was amazing. She did irritate me when she pushed Galloway away instead of being honest. But, that was only a small irritation and I mostly loved her. As a survivalist, she blew me away.
First impression of Estelle: she’s an introvert and I could completely relate to her. Her need for quiet and some solitude was easy to understand. I liked her immediately.
The Story
This book grabs you right away with the foreshadowing of what’s to come. Estelle’s “ignored” messages gave me a little chill as there is an element of believability in “fate” sending a warning.
”Life offers everyone messages.
Either unnoticeable or obvious, it’s up to us to pay attention.
I didn’t pay attention.”
They crash, and the immediate aftermath is horrifying. For the four survivors, this story encompasses some of the following: Survival, Perseverance, Overcoming adversity, Hopelessness, Love, Fear, Redefining yourself, Courage, Failure, Heartbreak, Strength and resilience, Devastation, Family. The many things this group faced kept me on the edge of my seat.
The characters were written with such truth and honesty and it was easy to understand their actions as they made survival decisions. There is a big secret that Galloway keeps from everyone and the reader finds out snipits around the 50% mark. To me, his background seemed like some unnecessary drama as they had enough drama just trying to stay alive.
The kids (Connor and Pippa and Coco) add a layer that enriches the story. I absolutely loved the way this family evolved and the way they loved and accepted one another. Each person had to redefine themselves and discover their strengths so they could contribute to their survival. They gave each other space and encouragement to figure things out and these four strangers really created a beautiful new family unit.
Overall
This was a journey I experienced, not a story I read. I felt everything!! The words on each page evoked such strong emotions and the imagery the author painted was spectacular. When they were exhausted and starving and fighting depression, I was right there with them. When they were laughing and supportive and triumphing over adversity, I was right they with them. When they faced loss.....I bawled my eyes out. OMG. Simply devastating. 😭😭💔
I grew to love every character and I felt like I knew them. Their joys, hurts, heartbreaks and triumphs were my joys, hurts, heartbreaks and triumphs. I was not a bystander in this story and honestly, I’m completely exhausted after finishing this book.
This author truly writes masterful stories that bring all the feels and leaves you feeling as if you were living inside each page. It’s one of her incredible gifts and it’s what makes her one of my favorite authors. Her stories leave you feeling like you’ve gained new friends and lost a part of your heart when you have to say goodbye. Her writing never ceases to amaze me.
This was a magnificent and captivating book and another Pepper Winters story that will stay with me for quite a long time.
“From disaster to serendipity.
Life was a journey and no one (no matter how wishful, bossy, or opinionated) could change the destination.
That was fate’s job.
Our job was to stop fighting.
Because only then could we find true happiness.”
H likable? Yes
h likable? Yes
h virgin? No
First time they sleep together: 53%
OW/OM drama? No
H/h cheat? No
Steamy? Yes
Did I skip pages? No
How the book made me feel: it’s a heavy read, but I experienced a spectrum of emotions from pure joy to utter devastation.
Big secrets? Kind of
Did I cry? Oh yes!!!! I ugly cried 😭😭
Cliffhanger? No
How it ends:
Recommend? Definitely
Quotes
“Who is she?
Pity fate couldn’t talk. If it could, I would’ve heard the reply:
She’s your beginning.
Your end.
Your salvation.”
“Starting today, let’s document every little thing that matters. Be it rain to drink or a fish to eat...or a kiss to pleasure. Let’s be grateful for what we have.”
“We survived because we fought side by side. We no longer felt envious of another’s happiness because day after day, we garnered joy for staying alive in a hostile world.”
“What are you most thankful for, Pip?”
She bent over, doing her best to scratch out two simple words. I’m alive.
Coming from such a tiny, orphaned girl, it was one of the most touching things I’d ever read.”
"You crashed with me. I fell for you. I love you."
“We’d lost, we’d won; we’d scarified, and celebrated.”
“We’d not only survived, we’d excelled.
We’d created life. We’d lost life. We’d learned about life. And life had almost killed us. But we’d won.”
Home is where the soul is found.
Home is where the good times laugh.
Home is where the hard times heal.”
Overview
Galloway(27) & Estelle(26). Told from dual POV. Takes place on a deserted island around Fiji. This book is around 650 pages, so it’s long. However, the length is no different than reading a trilogy, but instead of three books the author kept it all in one. At least that’s the way I looked at it. 😉
Characters
Galloway: he is on his way to Kadavu to build homes for locals. He’s got secrets from his past that he’s not willing to share and sins he believes he needs to atone for. Galloway was “in lust” with Estelle early on, so his early remarks and attitude toward her didn’t make him an endearing Hero. But, once I saw his heart and his love for the people on the island I just melted. His first interaction with Pippa. Aww❤️. He understood his limits and although he had trouble accepting them in the beginning, I felt like his character grew throughout their journey and he certainly became a fantastic partner and role model.
First impression of Galloway: He’s a complex character and is hiding something, so he is a bit of a mystery. He’s grouchy and gruff. Once they crashed, his attitude was annoying. It took a little bit of time for me to warm up to him.
Estelle: she’s a songwriter/musician who has recently been discovered and is headed home to Australia after a 7 week tour. She saw the signs, but didn’t heed their message and her life irrevocably changed. Estelle, is an incredibly strong woman. During every crisis, she was the voice of reason and brought calm to the situation. Her intuition was amazing. She did irritate me when she pushed Galloway away instead of being honest. But, that was only a small irritation and I mostly loved her. As a survivalist, she blew me away.
First impression of Estelle: she’s an introvert and I could completely relate to her. Her need for quiet and some solitude was easy to understand. I liked her immediately.
The Story
This book grabs you right away with the foreshadowing of what’s to come. Estelle’s “ignored” messages gave me a little chill as there is an element of believability in “fate” sending a warning.
”Life offers everyone messages.
Either unnoticeable or obvious, it’s up to us to pay attention.
I didn’t pay attention.”
They crash, and the immediate aftermath is horrifying. For the four survivors, this story encompasses some of the following: Survival, Perseverance, Overcoming adversity, Hopelessness, Love, Fear, Redefining yourself, Courage, Failure, Heartbreak, Strength and resilience, Devastation, Family. The many things this group faced kept me on the edge of my seat.
The characters were written with such truth and honesty and it was easy to understand their actions as they made survival decisions. There is a big secret that Galloway keeps from everyone and the reader finds out snipits around the 50% mark. To me, his background seemed like some unnecessary drama as they had enough drama just trying to stay alive.
The kids (Connor and Pippa and Coco) add a layer that enriches the story. I absolutely loved the way this family evolved and the way they loved and accepted one another. Each person had to redefine themselves and discover their strengths so they could contribute to their survival. They gave each other space and encouragement to figure things out and these four strangers really created a beautiful new family unit.
Overall
This was a journey I experienced, not a story I read. I felt everything!! The words on each page evoked such strong emotions and the imagery the author painted was spectacular. When they were exhausted and starving and fighting depression, I was right there with them. When they were laughing and supportive and triumphing over adversity, I was right they with them. When they faced loss.....I bawled my eyes out. OMG. Simply devastating. 😭😭💔
I grew to love every character and I felt like I knew them. Their joys, hurts, heartbreaks and triumphs were my joys, hurts, heartbreaks and triumphs. I was not a bystander in this story and honestly, I’m completely exhausted after finishing this book.
This author truly writes masterful stories that bring all the feels and leaves you feeling as if you were living inside each page. It’s one of her incredible gifts and it’s what makes her one of my favorite authors. Her stories leave you feeling like you’ve gained new friends and lost a part of your heart when you have to say goodbye. Her writing never ceases to amaze me.
This was a magnificent and captivating book and another Pepper Winters story that will stay with me for quite a long time.
“From disaster to serendipity.
Life was a journey and no one (no matter how wishful, bossy, or opinionated) could change the destination.
That was fate’s job.
Our job was to stop fighting.
Because only then could we find true happiness.”
H likable? Yes
h likable? Yes
h virgin? No
First time they sleep together: 53%
OW/OM drama? No
H/h cheat? No
Steamy? Yes
Did I skip pages? No
How the book made me feel: it’s a heavy read, but I experienced a spectrum of emotions from pure joy to utter devastation.
Big secrets? Kind of
Did I cry? Oh yes!!!! I ugly cried 😭😭
Cliffhanger? No
How it ends:
Recommend? Definitely
Quotes
“Who is she?
Pity fate couldn’t talk. If it could, I would’ve heard the reply:
She’s your beginning.
Your end.
Your salvation.”
“Starting today, let’s document every little thing that matters. Be it rain to drink or a fish to eat...or a kiss to pleasure. Let’s be grateful for what we have.”
“We survived because we fought side by side. We no longer felt envious of another’s happiness because day after day, we garnered joy for staying alive in a hostile world.”
“What are you most thankful for, Pip?”
She bent over, doing her best to scratch out two simple words. I’m alive.
Coming from such a tiny, orphaned girl, it was one of the most touching things I’d ever read.”
"You crashed with me. I fell for you. I love you."
“We’d lost, we’d won; we’d scarified, and celebrated.”
“We’d not only survived, we’d excelled.
We’d created life. We’d lost life. We’d learned about life. And life had almost killed us. But we’d won.”
April 3, 2016
This review will be hard to write, but here we go...
I have to punctuate one thing. I LOVE PEPPER WINTERS.
She is wonderful storyteller and one of my favourite dark romance authors.
This book though, is not dark romance. As Pepper herself wrote on her web site this is a survival romance.
But what's with the hype?
I absolutely hate when everyone likes a book and I am like.. meh... it was okay.
I kept asking myself: "Did I miss something?".
I have mixed feelings...
2 adults and 2 kids on an isolated island...
Helpless and trapped without food, water, medical help, fire or any form of technology.
Sounds interesting, right?
Estelle boards a plane to Fiji and eventually helicopter to take her home. She keeps getting these signs in form of messages, but somehow ends up ignoring them. On flight she meets Galloway, mysterious handsome guy. After a rough flight, they take a helicopter along with another family of four and unfortunately crash on an isolated island. As their lives cross paths, they find themselves on a road to self discovery and basic survival.
It took me 4 days and a lot of skimming to finish this.
Man, this was long.
Slow paced and too long for my taste.
Don't get me wrong, I like longer books, but they have to keep me on the edge of my seat, this book did not.
I presume when four people are trapped on an uninhabited island thing do get a bit monotone, cause' you know.. there is not much to do... but character's inner monologue was killin' me. In fact, for much of the story, I had a hard time connecting to the characters and a situation they were in.
I felt like 30% of the book was completely unnecessary.
The premise of the book is great, and I liked the first half more than the second.
Again, Pepper's writing is fabulous, and she has this gift of forming magnificent stories, but I can't escape the feeling that this book could've been a bit shorter and we would still experience all the tragedy, emotions, heartbreak and survival the same way.
If you like complex stories, this is for you.
I am rambling now, because I've been thinking about it for the past three hours. I had no idea what to write.
If you have time, read it.
I have to punctuate one thing. I LOVE PEPPER WINTERS.
She is wonderful storyteller and one of my favourite dark romance authors.
This book though, is not dark romance. As Pepper herself wrote on her web site this is a survival romance.
But what's with the hype?
I absolutely hate when everyone likes a book and I am like.. meh... it was okay.
I kept asking myself: "Did I miss something?".
I have mixed feelings...
2 adults and 2 kids on an isolated island...
Helpless and trapped without food, water, medical help, fire or any form of technology.
Sounds interesting, right?
Estelle boards a plane to Fiji and eventually helicopter to take her home. She keeps getting these signs in form of messages, but somehow ends up ignoring them. On flight she meets Galloway, mysterious handsome guy. After a rough flight, they take a helicopter along with another family of four and unfortunately crash on an isolated island. As their lives cross paths, they find themselves on a road to self discovery and basic survival.
It took me 4 days and a lot of skimming to finish this.
Man, this was long.
Slow paced and too long for my taste.
Don't get me wrong, I like longer books, but they have to keep me on the edge of my seat, this book did not.
I presume when four people are trapped on an uninhabited island thing do get a bit monotone, cause' you know.. there is not much to do... but character's inner monologue was killin' me. In fact, for much of the story, I had a hard time connecting to the characters and a situation they were in.
I felt like 30% of the book was completely unnecessary.
The premise of the book is great, and I liked the first half more than the second.
Again, Pepper's writing is fabulous, and she has this gift of forming magnificent stories, but I can't escape the feeling that this book could've been a bit shorter and we would still experience all the tragedy, emotions, heartbreak and survival the same way.
If you like complex stories, this is for you.
I am rambling now, because I've been thinking about it for the past three hours. I had no idea what to write.
If you have time, read it.
October 17, 2021
This was a long emotional read. The occasional lines from the notepad of E.E were so profound and beautiful. I'd pay money to read it if it were an actual book. The only issue was the misunderstanding. This has got be one of the most stupid misunderstandings that I have come across in a book. When Estelle stopped G because of lack of protection I was like my girl has got good forethought for a person under the fog of lust but then she immediately runs away without explaining it to him and I was like WTF please tell me that of all things, THAT is not going to be their misunderstanding and the fact that they went on for weeks without resolving it had me swearing the entire time. The fact that Stel never really admitted to G that the reason she rejected him the first time was her fear of pregnancy still bugs me cuz that poor guy already had enough to suffer because of his past. Anyways this was long which I have already mentioned and fuck humility I'm patting myself on the back for finishing this.
March 28, 2016
Review: Surj
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Pepper Winters and dark reads go hand in hand. Pepper Winters + contemporary romance = SAY WHAT??? When this lovely author announced she would be stepping away from the dark side to write a book that was so different to what we were used to getting from her, to say I was intrigued is an understatement. This was a book she was writing for herself. It was a story that had started off almost autobiographical but had developed into so much more. And the more I heard about "Unseen Messages," the more excited I got. However, I will put my hands up and admit, there were moments I wondered whether she would be able to pull it off. Would Pepper Winters (the queen of darkness) be be able to put pen to paper and keep the story completely contemporary romance or would a smidgen of the dark stuff creep in? Well, she wrote her story and I read her story and holy hellfire, she absolutely smashed it!!!
"Unseen Messages" was nothing like what I expected it to be. It was so much more. Estelle and Galloway's story was one I lived and breathed. Every high, every low, every ounce of happiness and devastation, I was there right alongside the characters, my heart soaring and breaking as curveball after curveball threw me off kilter. It was a journey that consumed me for two days, holding my emotions hostage without reprieve until the last page had been turned. And even then, I just couldn't move on, my mind still buzzing and my feelings still rife with thoughts of the characters and all they had been through. This was no ordinary love story. This was an epic journey of survival and sacrifice, of hopes, dreams and fears. It was a story about self discovery. It was a story about redemption and honest to god, it was breath takingly beautiful.
Estelle and Galloway (in equal measure) stole my heart. Here was a couple thrown together by... fate? Destiny? Or was it those unseen messages that appeared to go unnoticed time and time again? Either way, from the moment the pair met, their lives would be changed forever. They would be tried and tested, their limits pushed and then pushed some more. Struggle after struggle, conflict after conflict, challenge after challenge, I watched them grow both as individuals and as a couple and I was blown away. How could something so beautiful be born out of such adversity and hardship I couldn't say but this journey felt so realistic and believable and for me, absolutely took a course that felt so natural for the story being told.
Pepper Winters got contemporary romance down to perfection. She really did and if this book is anything to go by, I'm really hoping and praying that she continues to spread her literary wings because I for one, would love to see what else she has to give.
"Unseen Messages" gets ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ from me.
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TSU: http://www.tsu.co/HopelessRomantics
Blog: http://thehopelessromanticsbookblog.b...
Pepper Winters and dark reads go hand in hand. Pepper Winters + contemporary romance = SAY WHAT??? When this lovely author announced she would be stepping away from the dark side to write a book that was so different to what we were used to getting from her, to say I was intrigued is an understatement. This was a book she was writing for herself. It was a story that had started off almost autobiographical but had developed into so much more. And the more I heard about "Unseen Messages," the more excited I got. However, I will put my hands up and admit, there were moments I wondered whether she would be able to pull it off. Would Pepper Winters (the queen of darkness) be be able to put pen to paper and keep the story completely contemporary romance or would a smidgen of the dark stuff creep in? Well, she wrote her story and I read her story and holy hellfire, she absolutely smashed it!!!
I was stupid to jump the gun and ruin something so perfect. But it was ruined, and I didn't have the strength to salvage it.
"Unseen Messages" was nothing like what I expected it to be. It was so much more. Estelle and Galloway's story was one I lived and breathed. Every high, every low, every ounce of happiness and devastation, I was there right alongside the characters, my heart soaring and breaking as curveball after curveball threw me off kilter. It was a journey that consumed me for two days, holding my emotions hostage without reprieve until the last page had been turned. And even then, I just couldn't move on, my mind still buzzing and my feelings still rife with thoughts of the characters and all they had been through. This was no ordinary love story. This was an epic journey of survival and sacrifice, of hopes, dreams and fears. It was a story about self discovery. It was a story about redemption and honest to god, it was breath takingly beautiful.
His touch felt like a million fireflies- bright, flickering, and completely alive against my flesh.
Estelle and Galloway (in equal measure) stole my heart. Here was a couple thrown together by... fate? Destiny? Or was it those unseen messages that appeared to go unnoticed time and time again? Either way, from the moment the pair met, their lives would be changed forever. They would be tried and tested, their limits pushed and then pushed some more. Struggle after struggle, conflict after conflict, challenge after challenge, I watched them grow both as individuals and as a couple and I was blown away. How could something so beautiful be born out of such adversity and hardship I couldn't say but this journey felt so realistic and believable and for me, absolutely took a course that felt so natural for the story being told.
We'd been so happy. So Naive. If only we'd known what was coming for us.There is no doubt the talent this author has, not only in the stories she gives us but equally with her enchanting, almost poetic use of words that mesmerise and entrance the reader. I loved added touch of the lyrics and notes at the start of every chapter. They really added something special to the book. The question was, were they unseen messages for the reader? Were they a clue, a red herring or simply words and inner thoughts of the characters? You'll have to wait and see. "Unseen Messages" was a powerful, moving, heart wrenching story that was told with such passion and vigour, that it was difficult not to be affected by what I was reading. This was a story that was original, thought provoking and poignant and it was blood brilliant. I could tell that this author really had put her heart and soul into this one.
Pity fate couldn't talk. If she could, I would've heard three-ply. She's your beginning. Your end. Your salvation.
Pepper Winters got contemporary romance down to perfection. She really did and if this book is anything to go by, I'm really hoping and praying that she continues to spread her literary wings because I for one, would love to see what else she has to give.
"Unseen Messages" gets ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ from me.
March 30, 2016
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Title: Unseen Messages
Author: Pepper Winters
Series or Standalone: Standalone
Characters: 5
Plot: 5
Scorching Level: 4
HEA: Not telling.
I was so freaking excited for this book! It's LONG but very engrossing.
We meet Estelle Evermore. She is on her way back home. She is very eager to board her plane and return to Australia. But fate has other plans and it gave signs...
Life offers everyone messages.
Either unnoticeable or obvious, it's up to us to pay attention.
I didn't pay attention.
~Estelle
After a terrible accident, she finds herself struggling to survive. But she is not alone.
Galloway Oak is an English architect. He wants to get his flight on time. He simply wishes to be on time for work. He wants nothing more.
When a simple trip goes horribly wrong, Galloway will have to rediscover himself. He will have to fight for survival with a woman that represents everything he must stay away from!
I was better off alone.
It was the way it had to be.
End of bloody story.
~Galloway
Join our characters on a wild ride of death, adventure, survival and passion.
Galloway has his own secrets and Estelle is a woman who has always kept walls around herself. When they are thrown into a situation of life and death together, they will have to learn to live together, fight for each other and ultimately help each other. Love and happiness can blossom in the strangest of places though. That is when hearts will be tested.
As always, Pepper Winters is able to bring her characters to life with such a way that you cannot help but fell in love with them. Her writing is phenomenal and the plotline unique. The secondary characters were simply amazing and everything in this book had a purpose!
The Queen of Darkness just proved that she can write epic love stories that aren't gritty or forbidden.
I enjoyed the development, I felt every single emotion in this book and I followed this epic love story with bated breath!
I am not going into detail, because the book must be read without spoilers, but I will give a fair warning; the book is long. Very long and detailed. I have to admit that was the only thing that frustrated me a bit, but I understand that this plot needed the extra pages.
If you are a fan, do not miss this and if this is your first time reading a Pepper Winters book, then prepare to fall in love with her writing.
4 Stars!
January 15, 2017
I AM DONE!
I can honestly say that I am exhausted and that this book is the reason for my exhaustion.
It was good but really not my thing.
I can't stand the sense of isolation I felt from this book.
After their experiences and time on the island, the hero and the heroine didn't allow anyone in.
And I find that very sad because it's not really fair to their kids.
The book was well written emotionally, but I did struggle to make a connection.
I can only say when the thing happened with Connor I was devastated. That would have been hard to take in any circumstances.
For me, the writing was strange and when you add the back and forth or two years for him before then 3 years for her, it became a mess in my head!
Just very random.
I was also distracted by song lyrics at the start of every chapter and I stop reading them at around page 400.
This book could have been a great read for me if I could understand why they went back.
Seriously!?
And then, they wonder why Pippi did not want to stay with them?!
Come on the island where your parents are killed and your brother. The place were your whole world was destroyed?!
I know, I wouldn't.
For me, it was too confusing and in the end not really worth it. I can't say it's a bad story but I really hated how the author tossed me around with a messed up timeline. It was very distracting and when you add the sense of isolation, it made it virtually impossible for me to connect with.
These are just my thoughts.
Unpopular as they may be.
Enjoy and happy reading.
I can honestly say that I am exhausted and that this book is the reason for my exhaustion.
It was good but really not my thing.
I can't stand the sense of isolation I felt from this book.
After their experiences and time on the island, the hero and the heroine didn't allow anyone in.
And I find that very sad because it's not really fair to their kids.
The book was well written emotionally, but I did struggle to make a connection.
I can only say when the thing happened with Connor I was devastated. That would have been hard to take in any circumstances.
For me, the writing was strange and when you add the back and forth or two years for him before then 3 years for her, it became a mess in my head!
Just very random.
I was also distracted by song lyrics at the start of every chapter and I stop reading them at around page 400.
This book could have been a great read for me if I could understand why they went back.
Seriously!?
And then, they wonder why Pippi did not want to stay with them?!
Come on the island where your parents are killed and your brother. The place were your whole world was destroyed?!
I know, I wouldn't.
For me, it was too confusing and in the end not really worth it. I can't say it's a bad story but I really hated how the author tossed me around with a messed up timeline. It was very distracting and when you add the sense of isolation, it made it virtually impossible for me to connect with.
These are just my thoughts.
Unpopular as they may be.
Enjoy and happy reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2016
My life is forever changed by Unseen Messages and the message it gave to me. Life is precious, it is to be cherished and it can be taken from us at the drop of a hat.
"There is a message for everything. From handwritten to verbal, seen and unseen. Messages exist all around us."
But what if you don't see?
What if you don't understand?
What if, by ignoring the message, your life is never the same again?
—Pepper Winters
Normally this is the time I would sit and tell you all about the story. But this isn’t that kind of review. Like Pepper did, I’m going to dare to be different by telling you how my outlook on life has changed after reading Unseen Messages. How do we know if we’ve missed messages? Did we take the wrong path when the universe was clearly pointing us in a different direction? Is our life forever changed for the better because of the path we took? Sometimes what we think is a detrimental mistake sends us on a better road then we could have ever imagined.
All of these messages are trying to tell us something. Good. Bad. Life-altering. Loving. Caring. So many messages we get on a daily basis, and how open we are to the world and how in tune we are with ourselves allows us to be open to the messages.
I’ve recently made some huge life changes, and yet I wonder, did I miss a pivotal message? Is there something that I should have seen and didn’t? And then I realize, I’m not going to look back anymore because things do happen for a reason. But I am going to consciously open myself up to the messages coming forward. Taking better care of me. Following my dreams. Hashing out what those dreams really are. Using the world of introspection, dreams and desire, along with the magic of the universe to point me in the right direction.
I don’t dream of being stranded on a desert island with no electricity or medical care, but I do dream and desire a simpler life filled with love and compassion for others. Less hatred, distrust of others, and meanness. That may sound like a child's dreams, but there are places that those things can be found. Call it naive, or whatever you see fit, a simpler, compassion filled life is one of my dreams.
What messages will you be more open to moving on?
Thank you, Pepper, for changing my outlook on life! ~ Heather, 10 Life Changing stars
~~~
Holy Mother of survival novels, this is one of the best books Pepper Winters has written yet! (And I FLOVED all the other books she has released.)
So, imagine the universe is telling you your plan is bad and not to do something. Just because the signs all point in one direction while you are headed in another, doesn’t mean anything bad will happen, right?
This book made me (more) terrified to fly, afraid of Fiji, and never want to see the ocean ever again at the exact same time it made me want to hop on a plane to Fiji and swim in the ocean.
The two main characters we follow are strangers, who happen to get into a really bad situation, with other strangers. What becomes of them and their lives is something you will need to experience for yourself. Even if I wanted to sum it all up and put a nice bow on it, nothing I say could encompass the depth to which Ms. Winters has brought us into the story.
I was really expecting this book to be a lot like her other books; dark, full of heat and an alpha male to die for. What I got was a book that made me take a look in the mirror and wonder just how well I would fare on that island. When a romance book teaches you more about survival than you have ever know before… Well, it made me want to head to the nearest survivalist camp and sign up (but then I remembered I like toilets).
Overall, this is one book that is going to stick with me for a very long time. More than just the love story that bloomed from an impossible situation, this book is about letting go of the past, finding an inner strength and learning to love the new normal in your life. We can’t change fate, we can only adapt. ~ Devlynn, 5 stars
~~~
This story is unlike anything I have ever read. It was amazing, emotional, and I loved every minute of it! It’s a true story of survival, hope, and most of all love; the power of love and what it can do.
“I’m not meant to get on the plane. Do. Not. Get. On. That. Plane.”
Estelle Evermore was getting all kinds of messages about her flight home after her music tour. But she just wanted to get home and ignored the signs. So, even when the weather was less than ideal, she boarded a helicopter with six others.
Galloway Oak was running from his past, looking for ways to atone. He was going to Fiji to build houses, and was going to get there one way or another. Charting a helicopter with six other people lead him to her.
“Stupid girl. Stupid, beautiful, sexy-as-hell girl.”
Crash landing on a deserted island with no means of survival most definitely wasn’t in the plans. But it was their reality, and together, Estelle and Galloway created a life. Together they were able to start feeling, stop hiding, and be their true selves.
“You don’t fear me, Estelle. You fear what I can make you feel.”
I honestly don’t know what else to say about this book except that I will never be the same now that I have read it. It is a life-changing, complete must read!!
“Life was a journey and no one (no matter how wishful, bossy, or opinionated) could change the destination.”
You will never look at life the same, and it will be worth every minute. This is not an easy read, but it is a must read! ~ Tiffany, 5 stars
"There is a message for everything. From handwritten to verbal, seen and unseen. Messages exist all around us."
But what if you don't see?
What if you don't understand?
What if, by ignoring the message, your life is never the same again?
—Pepper Winters
Normally this is the time I would sit and tell you all about the story. But this isn’t that kind of review. Like Pepper did, I’m going to dare to be different by telling you how my outlook on life has changed after reading Unseen Messages. How do we know if we’ve missed messages? Did we take the wrong path when the universe was clearly pointing us in a different direction? Is our life forever changed for the better because of the path we took? Sometimes what we think is a detrimental mistake sends us on a better road then we could have ever imagined.
All of these messages are trying to tell us something. Good. Bad. Life-altering. Loving. Caring. So many messages we get on a daily basis, and how open we are to the world and how in tune we are with ourselves allows us to be open to the messages.
I’ve recently made some huge life changes, and yet I wonder, did I miss a pivotal message? Is there something that I should have seen and didn’t? And then I realize, I’m not going to look back anymore because things do happen for a reason. But I am going to consciously open myself up to the messages coming forward. Taking better care of me. Following my dreams. Hashing out what those dreams really are. Using the world of introspection, dreams and desire, along with the magic of the universe to point me in the right direction.
I don’t dream of being stranded on a desert island with no electricity or medical care, but I do dream and desire a simpler life filled with love and compassion for others. Less hatred, distrust of others, and meanness. That may sound like a child's dreams, but there are places that those things can be found. Call it naive, or whatever you see fit, a simpler, compassion filled life is one of my dreams.
What messages will you be more open to moving on?
Thank you, Pepper, for changing my outlook on life! ~ Heather, 10 Life Changing stars
~~~
Holy Mother of survival novels, this is one of the best books Pepper Winters has written yet! (And I FLOVED all the other books she has released.)
So, imagine the universe is telling you your plan is bad and not to do something. Just because the signs all point in one direction while you are headed in another, doesn’t mean anything bad will happen, right?
This book made me (more) terrified to fly, afraid of Fiji, and never want to see the ocean ever again at the exact same time it made me want to hop on a plane to Fiji and swim in the ocean.
The two main characters we follow are strangers, who happen to get into a really bad situation, with other strangers. What becomes of them and their lives is something you will need to experience for yourself. Even if I wanted to sum it all up and put a nice bow on it, nothing I say could encompass the depth to which Ms. Winters has brought us into the story.
I was really expecting this book to be a lot like her other books; dark, full of heat and an alpha male to die for. What I got was a book that made me take a look in the mirror and wonder just how well I would fare on that island. When a romance book teaches you more about survival than you have ever know before… Well, it made me want to head to the nearest survivalist camp and sign up (but then I remembered I like toilets).
Overall, this is one book that is going to stick with me for a very long time. More than just the love story that bloomed from an impossible situation, this book is about letting go of the past, finding an inner strength and learning to love the new normal in your life. We can’t change fate, we can only adapt. ~ Devlynn, 5 stars
~~~
This story is unlike anything I have ever read. It was amazing, emotional, and I loved every minute of it! It’s a true story of survival, hope, and most of all love; the power of love and what it can do.
“I’m not meant to get on the plane. Do. Not. Get. On. That. Plane.”
Estelle Evermore was getting all kinds of messages about her flight home after her music tour. But she just wanted to get home and ignored the signs. So, even when the weather was less than ideal, she boarded a helicopter with six others.
Galloway Oak was running from his past, looking for ways to atone. He was going to Fiji to build houses, and was going to get there one way or another. Charting a helicopter with six other people lead him to her.
“Stupid girl. Stupid, beautiful, sexy-as-hell girl.”
Crash landing on a deserted island with no means of survival most definitely wasn’t in the plans. But it was their reality, and together, Estelle and Galloway created a life. Together they were able to start feeling, stop hiding, and be their true selves.
“You don’t fear me, Estelle. You fear what I can make you feel.”
I honestly don’t know what else to say about this book except that I will never be the same now that I have read it. It is a life-changing, complete must read!!
“Life was a journey and no one (no matter how wishful, bossy, or opinionated) could change the destination.”
You will never look at life the same, and it will be worth every minute. This is not an easy read, but it is a must read! ~ Tiffany, 5 stars
April 11, 2016
I wish I was worthy of writing this review.
I do not want to taint it with my words.
Maybe if I could have proven myself more in the past.
Maybe if I could still prove myself somehow.
I just don't know how and it hurts my soul. Deeply.
I am in so much pain. I wish I was more worthy...
If these sentences made your eyes bleed, then Unseen Messages by Pepper Winters is not your cup of tea. This book was full of dramatics and what if's.
To say it's a lengthy book is an understatement.
I do not have a problem with lengthy books BUT there has to be a reason it has so much pages.
Unseen messages is full of fillers.
Too much fillers.
Like my sad opening, the book contains a lot of inner dialogue that could be solved easily if the main narrators just talked with each other instead of boring me with their endless thoughts that went nowhere.
Galloway and Estelle are the most annoying characters that are out there.
They drove me crazy with their endless fights and not being able to communicate like responsible adults should, stranded in the middle of nowhere.
"I am an idiot."
- Galloway.
Well, at least you are honest, I guess? This is the truest and best sentence Galloway provided us through this long and excruciating journey.
Galloway is what nightmares are made of. He is like a little kid. If he doesn't get what he wants, he gets upset and sulks around. He is constantly whining and I wished to God he would just shut up and man up.
What also wasn't believable was how fast he fell in love with Estelle.
He was obsessed with the poor girl and he annoyed both himself and me with his endless feelings and thoughts about her. This is an example:
"But Estelle.
Living with her, sleeping by her, watching her. Being the best damn friend I could be to her.
It was killing me. Every damn day, I died a little more.. (hahaha :D)
I craved a little harder.
I dreamed a little deeper.
I'm pathetic."
Image that for more than hundred pages.
Or my personal favorite. Galloway is worried that the kid boy, Conner, stranded with them on the island could be a treat to him. Ya know, Estelle choosing a kid boy over him someday.
"Oh shit, what if Estelle shacked up with Conner?
What if years passed by and Conner grew into a good-looking man and she dumped me for younger goods?"
o.O
Conner was 13, beautiful readers.
Estelle was the same.
In a way they are perfect for each other.
Even though this book was too lengthy and descriptive, I never stopped reading.
I think this is all Pepper Winters. She CAN write and I have loved a lot of books by her.
She wanted to go in a different direction with this book, but sadly, it did not fulfill those wishes.
There are a lot of books about this subject. I get it. It is exciting. Also, the need to know how the main narrators will survive will keep you intrigued.
Surviving Raine is a good example how these kind of books should be written. It is exciting, funny and enjoyable. And most important, it doesn't take itself too serious.
It had a flow, an easiness that made it so light and fun to read.
Unseen Messages was as interesting as the encyclopedia.
Hee, the encyclopedia can be entertaining too, sometimes. ;)
Final verdict: Unseen Messages should be read when you have loads of free time and don't mind lots and lots (and lots) of inner thoughts.
2 stars.
May 16, 2021
So, my favorite characters were the children, yes, therefore, I suffered with them. MUCH.
The main characters I liked, but i didn't love them. And I think this is the first time I have read a male by Pepper Winters without a very dark past. It was a long book, some things were unrealistic and there were slow parts, but I still liked it.
The main characters I liked, but i didn't love them. And I think this is the first time I have read a male by Pepper Winters without a very dark past. It was a long book, some things were unrealistic and there were slow parts, but I still liked it.
April 30, 2016
There are some books that take our breath away, some we love and some unforgettable. This book takes all these categories and I will even say, that this story is one of my favorite ever and that will stay in my mind forever.
While reading it, I wanted it to end fast because I couldn't wait to see how they would survive and live. At the other way, I never wanted it to end, as I was so captivated by their feelings, their survival, their almost death...
Pepper Winters wrote one of the most beautiful romances of all the time. This book is so different from everything she wrote so far, but I would read it all over again and again....
It's a very big book. Yes it is, but if it was written as a series it wouldn't have captured every sensation, because you can't literally stop reading and want more and more and in the end you understand everything, there's not much to wonder about what could have happened. It's perfect and complete.
The characters are real. You absorb every feeling, every wound, every smile, every bit of hope, every delusion they have and will hit you hard. What would you do in their place? How would you act? You simply don't know! You would have to live day by day as they did and hope to stay alive. They are strong, determined, hopeful.
Galloway made me swoon with his male determination. The way he falls in love with Estelle will take your breath away!
Estelle almost looks like a vulnerable woman but from the beginning you will see that vulnerable is something she isn't. She's strong, a giver, determined young woman that will make everything that's takes to survive. Without her they would die faster... since the firsts messages until the very end, her dedication to the others lead to a HEA that might bring tears to your eyes.
Angst, friendship, lust, love, danger, death, hunger, thirst, hope, reality, nature, longing, happiness... there's everything in it. Grab this book and see yourself falling in love for this story as I did!
While reading it, I wanted it to end fast because I couldn't wait to see how they would survive and live. At the other way, I never wanted it to end, as I was so captivated by their feelings, their survival, their almost death...
Pepper Winters wrote one of the most beautiful romances of all the time. This book is so different from everything she wrote so far, but I would read it all over again and again....
It's a very big book. Yes it is, but if it was written as a series it wouldn't have captured every sensation, because you can't literally stop reading and want more and more and in the end you understand everything, there's not much to wonder about what could have happened. It's perfect and complete.
The characters are real. You absorb every feeling, every wound, every smile, every bit of hope, every delusion they have and will hit you hard. What would you do in their place? How would you act? You simply don't know! You would have to live day by day as they did and hope to stay alive. They are strong, determined, hopeful.
Galloway made me swoon with his male determination. The way he falls in love with Estelle will take your breath away!
Estelle almost looks like a vulnerable woman but from the beginning you will see that vulnerable is something she isn't. She's strong, a giver, determined young woman that will make everything that's takes to survive. Without her they would die faster... since the firsts messages until the very end, her dedication to the others lead to a HEA that might bring tears to your eyes.
Angst, friendship, lust, love, danger, death, hunger, thirst, hope, reality, nature, longing, happiness... there's everything in it. Grab this book and see yourself falling in love for this story as I did!
May 31, 2016
Ok I have to confess I'm a Pepper Winters virgin. Yes that's right in spite of so many friends raving about her books I've never been tempted to take the plunge until now. What's changed? Well the rather unusual synopsis for this story had me perplexed about just what would actually happen to the characters . Clearly not as dark or disturbing as previous offerings from this author but nevertheless a haunting adventure that questions what we perceive as normal .
The basic premise is simple, how often do we ignore warning signs and make decisions that we might live to regret? The choices we make in life whilst simple and straightforward at the time can have huge repercussions . Estelle grabbed my attention right from the start as she stumbles through a journey that's clearly anything but boring! What opens up the storyline further is the introduction of Galloway, a man with secrets but to further ramp up the tension we are given dual points of view. The author keeps her readers on a knifes edge with red herrings and then you just realise that the inevitable is coming. Lost, marooned and with new responsibilities how this couple survive is just the start of their emotional journey.
Ok this was a long book and perhaps some readers might have preferred less but I understand that perhaps the author wanted us to experience the frustrations and trials that occur. There is tragedy here and it hits hard, unexpectedly and then we move on. No dwelling on the actual demise but the reverberating pain hits hard and changes these characters forever .
Not what I expected and whilst there are scenes of passion not particularly a sexy read. Life is precious and for living so don't hold back, choose to live! The human condition is explored here and what I take away from this story is that we are far more resilient then at times we realise.
I was gifted a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
The basic premise is simple, how often do we ignore warning signs and make decisions that we might live to regret? The choices we make in life whilst simple and straightforward at the time can have huge repercussions . Estelle grabbed my attention right from the start as she stumbles through a journey that's clearly anything but boring! What opens up the storyline further is the introduction of Galloway, a man with secrets but to further ramp up the tension we are given dual points of view. The author keeps her readers on a knifes edge with red herrings and then you just realise that the inevitable is coming. Lost, marooned and with new responsibilities how this couple survive is just the start of their emotional journey.
Ok this was a long book and perhaps some readers might have preferred less but I understand that perhaps the author wanted us to experience the frustrations and trials that occur. There is tragedy here and it hits hard, unexpectedly and then we move on. No dwelling on the actual demise but the reverberating pain hits hard and changes these characters forever .
Not what I expected and whilst there are scenes of passion not particularly a sexy read. Life is precious and for living so don't hold back, choose to live! The human condition is explored here and what I take away from this story is that we are far more resilient then at times we realise.
I was gifted a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
July 16, 2016
*** ARC kindly provided by the publisher Book Enthusiast Promotions, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review ***
Estelle finished her tour and really looks forward to some quiet time. Galloway was on his way to his new job. The Evermore family is looking forward to a family vacation. Fate brings them together with devastating consequences.
This was a very long story but oh so worth it!! I loved every second of this heartbreaking survival struggle of a stranded ‘family’. Not by blood but by tragedy. I loved how strong every single member of this family was. How they worked together to make the best of their situation. It made me once again think about life and realize once more that I should be more grateful and content.
At about 75% I wanted to throw the book aside. I was crying ugly tears and couldn’t believe what happened. Finally composed again I continued reading and couldn’t believe a little further what was happening ‘again’. But after that it finally started to look better for the characters in this book.
As I mentioned already this was a very long story but I think it would have been less believable if it would have been shorter. The main part of this book is the time they lived on the island which is 3.5 years.
I was grateful for the long epilogue at the end because I really needed that ;) Another great book by Pepper Winters which receives 5 stars!
Estelle finished her tour and really looks forward to some quiet time. Galloway was on his way to his new job. The Evermore family is looking forward to a family vacation. Fate brings them together with devastating consequences.
This was a very long story but oh so worth it!! I loved every second of this heartbreaking survival struggle of a stranded ‘family’. Not by blood but by tragedy. I loved how strong every single member of this family was. How they worked together to make the best of their situation. It made me once again think about life and realize once more that I should be more grateful and content.
At about 75% I wanted to throw the book aside. I was crying ugly tears and couldn’t believe what happened. Finally composed again I continued reading and couldn’t believe a little further what was happening ‘again’. But after that it finally started to look better for the characters in this book.
As I mentioned already this was a very long story but I think it would have been less believable if it would have been shorter. The main part of this book is the time they lived on the island which is 3.5 years.
I was grateful for the long epilogue at the end because I really needed that ;) Another great book by Pepper Winters which receives 5 stars!
May 8, 2016
This book gave me the “feels” of what’s important in life.
Estelle a famous singer and songwriter who wanted normalcy by going home to her native land in Australia. Gallaway an architect who wanted another chance in life. But one fateful flight these two people collide and thrown in a situation beyond their imagination. Can they survive the harsh element after crash-landing?
This book will certainly stir up your emotion like a roller coaster ride… there will be happy, sad (ugly cry, maybe), disappointing, frustrating moments that you may want to stop and get a tissue, for you will shed some tears over this book.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book! Thanks Pepper for another unforgettable story!
Estelle a famous singer and songwriter who wanted normalcy by going home to her native land in Australia. Gallaway an architect who wanted another chance in life. But one fateful flight these two people collide and thrown in a situation beyond their imagination. Can they survive the harsh element after crash-landing?
This book will certainly stir up your emotion like a roller coaster ride… there will be happy, sad (ugly cry, maybe), disappointing, frustrating moments that you may want to stop and get a tissue, for you will shed some tears over this book.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book! Thanks Pepper for another unforgettable story!
September 7, 2024
What an incredible story. I felt like I was reading a movie. This book was long and heartbreaking and yet at the end, so beautiful. When you think about being stranded on a tropical island with a beautiful man, you believe that is a true fantasy. You don't imagine how hard it would be to barely survive. How hard it would be to be in constant fear that you aren't doing enough to stay alive all the while hoping for rescue. This story was about surviving but it was also about two souls forming an unbreakable bond that allowed each other to survive the ultimate test. This is my first read of Pepper Winters and I understand now why her books are highly recommended.
April 5, 2016
EPIC READ ALERT!!! I'm not gonna lie, this baby took me 3 days to finish. It's a complex, sensational love story that I just wanted to savor. So powerful, so beautiful, so damn compelling. A true Pepper Winters masterpiece!
This book BLEW ME AWAY! It's unlike anything I've ever read before, and my god that's saying something! I haven't read every single one of Pepper's books, but I think it's safe to say that this is something completely different. Something new. Something fresh. Something heartbreaking. Something spellbinding.
My emotions took a toll with this one. They were obliterated, shattered, blown apart. But in the end, the author managed to put everything together in a way that was so delicate that it just soothed the soul. UNSEEN MESSAGES just took romance to a whole other level in my book. The story of Estelle and Galloway was so much more than I ever expected. This was more than a survival romance. I think this story will touch people in a manner that could possibly change lives. It certainly is embedded in my brain and inexplicably changed my way of thinking about life and about those unseen messages that we so often ignore, out of impatience, stubbornness, or lack of clarity.
UNSEEN MESSAGES is story that you will want to take your time on. Believe me, it will be so hard, because you will want to know how it ends, but savoring it and really paying attention to the message within, will make the ending that much better.
If you are looking for a read that will completely take you to another place...a story that will consume your heart, body, and soul...a romance that is unlike anything you've ever read...THIS right here...THIS is the book for you. Be prepared for a book hangover like no other. Be prepared to bawl your eyes out. Be prepared to take a journey that will forever change your way of thinking. Be prepared to read one of THE BEST stories of the year.
*Gifted copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
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